Jennifer Jason Leigh has demonstrated a propensity for immersing herself completely, both physically and psychologically, in a broad range of roles. She made her directorial debut with The Anniversary Party, in which she also starred with an ensemble cast, including Alan Cumming, Jennifer Beals, Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow and John C. Reilly. For the film, Leigh received a citation for Excellence in Filmmaking from The National Board of Review and was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards for Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.

Leigh first came to prominence in 1990, winning both The New York Times Film Critics Circle and The Boston Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Last Exit To Brooklyn and Miami Blues. She went on to star in Short Cuts, Kansas City and Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, for which she won the National Society of Film Critics and Chicago Film Critics for Best Actress and also received Best Actress nominations from the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards. Leigh next produced and starred in Georgia, garnering the New York Film Critics Circle Award and the Montreal Film Festival Award for Best Actress.

Leigh starred on Broadway in David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Proof". In addition, she has performed in "Picnic" at the Ahmanson Theater, "Sunshine with the Circle Repertory and Cabaret" on Broadway, playing Sally Bowles.